'I make plenty of my own gas, thank you very much', claims Eric Pickles

Conservative politician Eric Pickles has slammed recent claims that be may be involved in the latest expenses scandal that has rocked the Houses of Parliament, by stating outright that he makes 'more than enough' gas of his own.

The latest expenses abuse revelation, which follows the news that gas prices are to rise even further this winter, has placed several highly-paid MPs in the spotlight yet again, with some admitting to using the equivalent of an average taxpayers annual salary 'just on their agas'.

Pickles, who was 'incensed' at discovering an undercover reporter had furtively taken an infrared heat photograph of his four-bedroom house, revealing 'vast quantities' of gas seeping from every room, claims 'everything can be explained'.

'I'll have you know that all the gas you see on that picture is all bought and paid for. I have all of my receipts from Greggs, Zozan's Kebab House and Nando's, which you're all free to check'.

He added: 'I can assure you that I will come out of this latest scandal smelling of roses. Well, unless you're down-wind, in which case you may not be smelling roses, as such'.